This year’s McNeese spring game won’t actually be a game. The combination of a large departing senior class and spring practice injuries has made it unfeasible to split the Cowboys into two squads, so today’s 1 p.m. Blue-Gold game will have the same format as the previous two scrimmages this spring. (Rick Hickman / American Press)

Blue-Gold game will have scrimmage format this year

The combination of a large departing senior class and spring practice injuries has made it unfeasible to split the Cowboys
into two squads, so today’s 1 p.m. Blue-Gold game will have the same format as the previous two scrimmages this spring.

The Cowboys will run 100 plays from scrimmage with the top offense going against the top defense, as well as the No. 2 and
No. 3 units facing off against their counterparts.

Last week coach Matt Viator indicated that a tweak to this year’s spring game format after the Cowboys scrimmaged without
four of their top five running backs. The team is also down to 12 available offensive linemen.

“Everything’s based on numbers and what we have available,” Viator said.

He emphasized that none of the injuries suffered this spring figure to be serious enough to carry over to the season.

“As long as we can get them back for the summer, that’s kind of what we’re looking for,” Viator said.

One player who has made the most of McNeese’s health situation is running back Jared Williams, who has gained 130 yards on
17 carries in the first two scrimmages. Williams, a sophomore from New Iberia, was a practice squad player last year.